Our Mission & Values

Educational Excellence Starts Here

Since 1902, Franklin University has been a pioneer in meeting the needs of adult students who have the ambition to continue their college education in combination with other responsibilities. Serving adult learners wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team of staff, faculty and board members who live out our mission, vision and values every single day. Find out what drives us to serve you and the rest of our students with excellence.

Mission & Philosophy

Mission

The University of Opportunity

Franklin University is a student-centered, nonprofit, independent institution.

Franklin University provides high quality, relevant education enabling the broadest possible community of learners to achieve their goals and enrich the world. 

Philosophy

Since 1902, Franklin University has been a pioneer in meeting the needs of adult students who have the ambition to continue their education in combination with other responsibilities.

As a learner-centered institution of higher education, the Four Cornerstones of the Educational Philosophy are:

  • Ensuring academic quality
  • Providing access to educational opportunities
  • Adapting to the needs of students
  • Responding to changes in society, professions, and the business community  

Core Values

MiRole

The values of a University cannot simply reside in a document or a promotional piece. They must live and breathe within each of us as they guide and inform our actions and behaviors. Core values remind us that the work we do is rooted in a shared set of beliefs, and reinforces that our efforts are meaningful and life-changing. When one person models a behavior, it is likely that it will be mirrored by others, creating a culture where these values are expected. 

The acronym “MiRole” reinforces the personal responsibility aspect of the core values and can easily be remembered by what it stands for: Modeling Integrity, Respect, Opportunity, Learning and Excellence. MiRole is not only a memorable acronym encompassing the values at the center of the work we do, but it links us all together as responsible, accountable employees and teammates. 

Understanding and living our core values empowers us to do exceptional work every day in our quest to make Franklin University the best place to work and learn.
 

Integrity

Basing decisions and actions on the highest moral standards and ethical ideals

As I model INTEGRITY, I take responsibility for:

  • Communicating honestly
  • Being transparent in my work
  • Being a good steward of University resources
  • Being truthful in my decisions, words and actions

Respect

Treating others fairly and with dignity.

As I model RESPECT, I take responsibility for: 

  • Honoring the personal and professional time and commitments of students, faculty and staff 
  • Creating a flexible, approachable, supportive and celebratory culture 
  • Embracing diversity by promoting inclusion and honoring differences 
  • Valuing and appreciating the contributions of each member of the University

Opportunity

Encouraging growth and ongoing professional development along the path to success.

As I model OPPORTUNITY, I take responsibility for:

  • Removing barriers to success for our students, faculty and staff
  • Fostering an environment that encourages the achievement of personal and professional goals
  • Acknowledging there is true value in diversity of thought and sincerely believing that each voice counts
  • Encouraging the growth of students, faculty and staff through civic responsibility and service to the community

Learning

Actively supporting lifelong discovery and the exploration of knowledge.

As I model LEARNING, I take responsibility for:

  • Providing high quality, relevant education that enables the broadest possible community of learners to achieve their goals 
  • Advocating for and encouraging students, faculty and staff as they attain personal and educational goals 
  • Cultivating an atmosphere that focuses on potential, creates self-reliance, and promotes the success of other
  • Making lifelong learning opportunities widely accessible and attainable for motivated students, faculty and staff

Excellence

Pursuing exceptional results with determination, pride and passion.

As I model EXCELLENCE, I take responsibility for:

  • Providing dedicated service to students, my colleagues and the community
  • Practicing creativity and open-mindedness every day
  • Being innovative and forward-thinking in my work
  • Refusing to accept mediocrity in anything I do

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Communication

Communicate professionally using a variety of modalities (written, spoken, and technological).

Critical Thinking

Analyze and evaluate information to make reasoned arguments and solve problems.

Civic and Global Engagement

Integrate knowledge and skills to engage with and respond to social, environmental, and economic challenges at local, national and global levels.

Ethics

Analyze and evaluate complex issues and situations to make informed ethical decisions.

Disciplinary Expertise

Integrate theory and practice of an academic discipline.

General Education

The General Education program at Franklin University provides diverse learning experiences that promote the development of communication, critical thinking, global learning, and quantitative reasoning skills. These skills are transferable to the workplace and community and create ethical, culturally aware global citizens and engaged lifelong learners. 
 
General Education Outcomes

Graduates will be able to: 

  1. Communicate effectively 
  2. Employ the methods of inquiry, analysis, and evaluation characteristic of the natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and arts and humanities 
  3. Demonstrate and apply cultural knowledge 
  4. Critically assesses quantitative information and use mathematical models to draw conclusions 

 These outcomes are emphasized in the General Education courses. Through the University course design model, these foundational outcomes are also integrated throughout the curriculum.